The Existence of God: Arguments based on Observation (Cosmological and Teleological Arguments) Flashcards
Inductive argument
Starts from a specific example, usually
taken from the world around us. It then
tries to make this a general statement e.g.
The world shows evidence of design; things
that are designed have a designer; the
designer must be God. The conclusion may
be likely but not certain.
Deductive argument
The process of reasoning from one or more
statements to reach a logical
conclusion. Starts with a general idea then
moves to specific statements e.g. all men
are mortal, Aristotle was a man, Aristotle
was mortal.
Postulate
To assume something.
Qua
Via, by way of.
Syllogism
A kind of logical argument that applies
deductive reasoning to arrive at a
conclusion based on two or more
propositions that are asserted or assumed
to be true.
Aseity
Existence originating from and having no
source other than itself. Self-existence.
Creatio ex nihilo
Creation from nothing.
Ex nihilo, nihil fit
Out of nothing, nothing comes.
Infinite regress
Has no beginning
Fallacy of composition
When you make the mistake of thinking
that because part of a philosophical
argument is true, the whole of it is true.
Non sequitur
A philosophical argument that ‘does not
follow’. It might make an illogical leap from
its premises to its conclusion.
Motus
Greek for ‘Motion’. Movement and change
in the world.
Contingent
Dependent upon.
Analytical proposition
From the Greek ‘break down’
The predicate is found in the subject e.g.
‘Batchelors are unmarried’
.
Synthetic proposition
From the Greek ‘put together’
Must be tested by observation e.g.
‘Batchelors live alone’.
